Securing Your Internet Connection with a VPN

Photo of author

(Newswire.net — April 13, 2019) — using the internet, privacy is always of utmost importance, due to the personal nature of online content, as well as online banking, which has become far more convenient than physical banking. There are varying levels of security that are available to the consumer when browsing the internet, and Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs are becoming more and more popular. Nowadays, a secure and strong internet connection is more difficult to find, however, with the purchase of a VPN, you are able to increase your security when browsing the internet.

Before dissecting the best options when it comes to choosing a VPN, we need to know what one actually is. The best way of describing it is a tool that allows you to connect to the internet, as though you were located somewhere else. Research as found that most people use a VPN to access geographically locked software, such as users in the UK connecting to a server in the US, to access their supposedly superior offerings on Netflix. This helps users get better value for the same subscription fee. This is not the only use for a VPN, and is generally considered a tool used to increase security easily on your internet enabled devices. A VPN will help give you more security when browsing online, as it will stop your internet service provider being able to see what you are doing, and therefore limiting the chances of your data being harvested and stored by a third party company. A VPN acts as a tunnel, between your device and the web. This means your internet service provider will be able to see that you are using a VPN, but that is the extent of it. Another perk of using a VPN is that it gives you a new IP address, which also enhances security.

 

As mentioned previously, one of the main reasons to use a VPN is for an enhanced feeling of security. Data breaches are becoming more and more common, and using a VPN is one of the best precautionary measures in order to stop this from happening. When using a VPN, you essentially make it impossible (or extremely difficult) for the rest of the internet to track your viewing patterns, and therefore make your information less accessible to third party companies. VPNs are generally aimed at those who consider anonymity on the internet to be important, as when browsing without using a VPN your IP address is available for anyone to see, and can be used to see where you are based. With a VPN giving you a brand new IP address, located in a completely different location, this issue is eradicated. This is why you are able to browse geographically locked content, on streaming sites such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

What’s the difference between a proxy server and a VPN? Well is it suggested by many that using a VPN is extremely similar to using a proxy server, which gives you a new location, and makes it seem as though you are using the internet from a different location. However, a VPN is far more robust, and gives you far more privacy and control, whereas a proxy server will only hide your web activity, rather than a VPN, which will covet you for file sharing, as well as video gaming. It will also grant you a brand new IP, and can be used across a variety of devices, the same of which cannot be said for a proxy server.

A VPN service will also encrypt your data. This uses extremely complex mathematical algorithms in order to make your data untraceable by third parties on the internet. This also stops your usage being logged, stored and potentially used against you. As previously mentioned, using a VPN allows you to easily stream content that you did not previously have access to, allowing you to get more value for your money within these services, and fully unlock the potential of the internet. Using a VPN will also allow you to use torrents, stream movies, and play video games, without your internet service provider being able to see what you are doing. Another benefit of this is the lack of censorship that you will be subjected to when browsing the internet.

How should I choose the best VPN? Well, there are plenty to choose from! The main thing you’ll need to establish is what your VPN will be used for. Many use VPNs in order to easily access content that was previously locked in their geographic location; this means that before you pull the trigger on any purchases of VPNs, you need to check that the area you want to have access to is included within the plan. For example, if you want to view content that is only available in Brazil, then make sure the VPN service provider offers this. If you are looking for a VPN service which is more suited for faster connections for online gaming, then make sure to find a service which is tailored for this experience. Another factor that you will need to consider is how much the VPN service costs. There are some free VPN services out there, such as TunnelBear, which offers 500mb free per month, and if you want any more than this you’ll need to pay. Generally, the paid services are far superior to the free services, as you would expect. Many of the services offer a monthly subscription based service, offering a bigger discount for the longer you commit to the service.

It is a fact that your internet security will be greatly enhanced with the purchase of a VPN. If you make the right choice, a VPN could make positive changes to your life, by unlocking a wealth of multi-media content, as well as providing a greater sense of security when browsing the internet. In 2019, it is becoming more and more common for people to browse using VPNs, and if it isn’t something you’d previously considered, then it’s something you should now.